Widgey Raphael Newman (30 September 1900 – 15 July 1944), known professionally as Widgey R. Newman, was a prolific British independent screenwriter, producer and film director. He was a major force in the British film industry of the 1930s, responsible for over 60 films including quota quickie B-films and documentary shorts, many of which are now lost. He was sometimes credited as R. W. Lotinga.
Career Newman began as a film publicist in the early 1920s, becoming an editor in 1923, and joining DeForest Phonofilms around 1926. He made early sound shorts capturing music-hall acts such as comic John Henry, and went on to direct short features, documentaries, travelogues, and feature-length films. His The Merchant of Venice (1927) is recognised as the first Shakesperian talkie.
Filmography as director Source: the British Film Institute. ❌ indicates that the BFI National Archive holds no film or video materials.
Short films Films of less than 40 minutes duration. ❌ Oscillation (1926), co-director: Challis N. Sanderson ❌ How I Began (1926), co-director: Challis N. Sanderson ❌ The Loud Speaker (1926), co-director: Challis N. Sanderson ❌ Listening In (1926), co-director: Challis N. Sanderson ❌ John Henry Calling (1926), co-director: Challis N. Sanderson ❌ Broadcasting (1926), co-director: Challis N. Sanderson ❌ Home Construction (1926), co-director: Challis N. Sanderson ❌ The Love of Pthonthnese (1926) A Few Melodious Moments from Lawrence Wright's Sensations of 1927 at Onchan Head Pavilion Douglas I.O.M. (1927) ❌ John Citizen (1927) Edith Sitwell (1927) Madalon (1927) Hot Water and Vegetabuel (1927) The Merchant of Venice (1927) ❌ Dot and Carrie (1927) ❌ Pop (1927) ❌ Dilly and Dally (1927) D.O.R.A. (1927) Clonk (1928) ❌ The Merry Men of Sherwood (1932) A Round of Round Faces (1934) This Leg Theory (1934) ❌ What the Parrot Saw (1935) ❌ Lucky Dogs (1935), as R.W. Lotinga ❌ Pal o' Mine (1936) ❌ What the Puppy Said (1936) ❌ This Motoring (1936) ❌ Apron Fools (1936) ❌ Funeral March of a Marionette (1937) ❌ Lullaby (1937) River Folk (1937) The Heritage of the Soil (1937) ❌ Heritage of Defence (1937) ❌ The Heritage of the Air (1937) ❌ Heritage of the Sea (1937) ❌ The Inspector (1937) ❌ Horse Sense (1938) Pandamonium (1939) ❌ Under Dogs (1939) ❌ Land o' Clans (1940) ❌ London's Got Grit (1940) ❌ John Bull's Other Army (1942) ❌ In the Sound of Big Ben (1943) Strange to Relate (1943) The Peke Speaks (1944) Road to Yesterday (1944) ❌ Chartered Waters (1944) ❌ The Four Seasons (1944) ❌ The Parrot Goes to Sea (1944) The Peke's Sold a Pup (1945)
Feature films ❌ A Reckless Gamble (1928), aka The Man in the Saddle ❌ Castle Sinister (1932) ❌ Little Waitress (1932) ❌ Heroes of the Mine (1932) ❌ Lucky Blaze (1933) ❌ The Unholy Quest (1934), as R.W. Lotinga The Immortal Gentleman (1935) The Dream Doctor (1936), as R.W. Lotinga ❌ A Sister to Assist 'er (1938), co-director George Dewhurst On Velvet (1938) (BFI holdings status pending) Men without Honour (1939) ❌ Henry Steps Out (1940) Two Smart Men (1940) References
External links
WIdgey R. Newman at BFIplayer